Sonny’s is the latest project from restaurateurs Jeffrey Fink and Matt Sieve, who have transformed a 100-year-old former auto shop into a pizza parlor that channels the gritty, neon-lit charm of 1980s New York City. Think old-school TVs, a weathered copper bar, an outdoor and a mezzanine reminiscent of your Italian grandma's dining room. The design was overseen by Anna and David Sindelar, the creative duo behind the aesthetic of Madison and Madi, who preserved the building’s historic character while layering in plenty of nostalgia.
The 3,500-square-foot restaurant features a backyard-style patio with a Santa Maria wood-fire grill and a custom Italian-imported pizza oven firing up pies that blend NYC crispiness with Neapolitan technique. Diners can expect wood-fired creations like the Smoke on the Water - topped with mozzarella, Italian sausage, rapini, smoked provolone, Calabrian chili, garlic, pecorino, and basil - alongside shareable appetizers, fresh salads, pasta, sandwiches, and Italian-leaning entrées. Soft serve desserts will rotate seasonally, and grilled dishes will be served straight from the outdoor grill.
The 3,500-square-foot restaurant features a backyard-style patio with a Santa Maria wood-fire grill and a custom Italian-imported pizza oven firing up pies that blend NYC crispiness with Neapolitan technique. Diners can expect wood-fired creations like the Smoke on the Water - topped with mozzarella, Italian sausage, rapini, smoked provolone, Calabrian chili, garlic, pecorino, and basil - alongside shareable appetizers, fresh salads, pasta, sandwiches, and Italian-leaning entrées. Soft serve desserts will rotate seasonally, and grilled dishes will be served straight from the outdoor grill.
Behind the bar, Danny Kuehner leads a beverage program heavy on amaro-forward cocktails, natural wines, and local hard beverages. Whether you're dropping in for a slice and a soda or a full dinner with cocktails, Sonny’s is designed to be as casual or celebratory as you make it. For locals craving a little grit with their mozzarella, Sonny’s offers a fresh but familiar kind of comfort - a stylish homage to New York’s pizza heyday with the relaxed spirit of San Diego.
Sonny’s arrives as part of a busy year for the ownership team, who are also expanding their brunch-focused concept Madi, with new locations planned for Hillcrest and Pacific Beach by summer 2025. Madi offers a menu of fresh pastries alongside an extensive breakfast and lunch selection, as well as beverage program will feature beer, wine, mimosas, low-ABV cocktails, and mocktails.
Sonny’s opens on Wednesday, May 7, at 1728 Madison Avenue in San Diego's University Heights. For more information, visit letsgetsonnys.com.